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A BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY 



OF THE 



SWARR FAMILY 

OF 

LANCASTER COUNTY 
PENNSYLVANIA 



-BY- 



JACOB MELLINGER SWARR 

MECHANIC'S GROVE, PA. 



Published for the Author 
J909 



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.8^72-5- 



ly. B. Herr Print 
Ivancaster, Pa. 



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A BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY 

OF THE. 

SWARR FAMILY. 



/^rHE founder of the family in this country was Peter 
\ii^ ScHWAHR, now SwARR, 3. native of Alsace province, 
and was born Anno Domini, 1690, near the city of Stras- 
burg. He married a lad}^ who was a native of the city 
of Strasburg, whose maiden name was Adaline Bi^oom- 
iNG. They had two sons, Peter and Christian. In the 
year 1715, he with his family, emigrated to this country 
and arrived in Philadelphia in the Spring of 17 16, as found 
by colonial records. He left France on account of the 
persecutions w^aged against the Protestants, himself and 
family being Hugenots. Soon after their arrival at Phila- 
delphia, they left for the interior and arrived, at what is 
now Lancaster City, in the same spring of 17 16 and went 
about one and one-half miles farther west where they made 
their abode, and took a meal under an oak tree (as I heard 
related when I was a boy) . Here Peter Swarr got in the 
possession in common, with Hans and Jacob Brubaker, of 
1000 acres of land which they divided, Swarr taking the 
most northerly part of it, which was along the King's 
Highway, now the Harrisburg Pike. The stone arch 
bridge on the pike adjacent to what is now Long's Park, 
was for many years known as Swarr' s Bridge. On the 
north side of the east wing wall, there is a stone built in, 
that was blood stained before the wall was made, there 
having been a peddler murdered, by which the stone was 
stained. Swarr' s farm on the south side of the pike (now 



Harnish's) still contains buildings put up by Swarr. There 
was one of the sons killed by a cross bull in the meadow of 
that farm. The spot was marked with a stone as I was told 
by Jacob Harnish, who was also raised on the farm ; his 
brother David is the present owner. 

Soon after the founder, Peter Swarr had settled here, he 
got into the possession of looo acres of land, four and one- 
half miles northwest of Lancaster City, now East Hemp- 
field township, where he built a grist and sawmill. On 
Swarr' s run, where he built an acqueduct about a mile long, 
in order to get rise and fall for a 14 foot overshot water 
wheel, one of the sons, during the Revolution, put up in 
place a large three stor}^ brick mill by which a post office 
was named Swarr' s Mill Post Office. The mechanics 
employed by Swarr were Hessian prisoners, who were 
skilled workmen, whom he got out of the barracks at Lan- 
caster. The brick mill is at present, owned and operated 
by Henry Miller, a prominent business man and highly 
respected citizen, who married a Miss Binkley, by which 
name the mill property w^as known for a number of years. 

After Peter Swarr and his wife were in this country, 
there were born to them besides Peter and Christian, who 
were born to them before they emigrated, three daughters 
named, Anna, Adaline and Blanche, and one son, John, 
who was my grandfather. 

Peter Swarr, oldest son of the founder of the family, 
married a Long, they had two daughter and one son. 
Adaline, one of the daughters, married John Shenk, the 
other daughter married Michael Bauchman. John, the 
son, married Elizabeth Reist, they had five children, three 
daughters and two sons. Anna, one of the daughters, 
married Jacob Hostetter. Elizabeth married John Baer, 
and Barbara married Emanuel G. Reigart, a prominent 
lawyer of Lancaster county, and she was often spoken of 
by President James Buchanan as having been a beautiful 
and accomplished woman. 

John Jr., great-grandson of Peter the founder, was 
born in Lancaster county, October 19, 1776, and was 



married to Miss Susan Kauffman, December 24, 1820, by 
the Rev. Reinke in Lititz. In the spring of 1836, Mr. Swarr 
went with his family to Maimsburg, Ohio, where he died, 
Wednesday, July 2, 1884, was buried Saturday the 5th, 
aged 88 years He died of infirmities of old age. Services 
were held at the Reformed church to which he was united 
a few days before his death. He left four children, two 
sons and two daughters. His brother Jacob died single. 

Christian:, second son of Peter the founder and 
brother of m}" grandfather, married Elizabeth Eby. They 
had one son and two daughters. Elizabeth, one of the 
daughters, married John Geisey, Anna the other, married 
John Kauffman. John the son, married Anna Neff, they 
had two daughters. Elizabeth married Jacob Miller, they 
had children, among those living prior to 1853 were Mrs. 
Ann Kauffman, Amelia, widow of Dr. Neff, Jacob C. and 
John S. Miller, all of whom were residents of Lancaster 
city. The other daughter of John, a grandson of Peter the 
founder, married Henry Baer. They had children, among 
the living prior to 1853, Dr. Emanuel S. Baer, Harriet, 
widow of James Bryon, Mrs. Bowman, widow of Dr. Bow- 
man, and Dr. Reuben S. Baer, surgeon United States Navy, 
deceased. 

There were three daughters born to Peter Swarr, the 
founder of the family after they came to this country, and 
also my grandfather John was born in Lancaster county in 
1740. The daughters, Anna, Adaline and Blanche. My 
great-grandfather, Peter Swarr the founder, died 1767, aged 
78 ; his wife died sooner. The three daughters married 
three brothers by the name of Shirk. Anna was born 1720, 
married Ulrich Shirk, resided in the north-eastern part of 
Lancaster county, died 1810, aged 90 years. She is buried 
near Shoeneck, what is now known as Steinmetz's Church 
and Cemetery, formerly Swarr's Graveyard, where my 
grandfather had several hundred acres of land, and after- 
wards owned by my uncle John Swarr. 

My grandfather John, son of Peter the founder, as 
stated before, was born 1740, and was married to Veronica 



Shirk, 1768; had children, John, born August 3, 1769; 
Elizabeth, February 16, 1773 ; Christian, 1776 ; Peter 
and Veronica, January 17, 1779, and x\nna, June i6th, 
1 78 1. Veronica, grandfather's wife, died 1783, aged 30 
years. Grandfather was again married in 1785 to Magada- 
lena Yordy, widow of Peter Yordy, deceased. Her maiden 
name was Nissley and only been married to Yord}^ less than 
a year, when he died. She had no children by her first 
husband and was but twenty-three j^ears at the time she 
was married to grandfather. She was born in Lancaster 
count3^ November 14, 1762. Grandfather had by second 
marriage, five children, viz : Maria, born September 7, 
1786 ; Martin, my father, October 25, 1788 ; Jacob and 
Samuel, November 11, 1790; Magadalena, September 9, 

1793- 

My Uncle John Jr., my grandfather's oldest son, 
married a Shirk, they had five daughters, one married 
Charles Steinmetz, who came in possession of the old home- 
stead. They had one son, Daniel, who was married, but 
both died without an}'- children. One of the daughters 
married Christian Weist, who occupied part of the original 
tract of Svvarr's land, they had two sons, Jacob and Samuel. 
Jacob married and operated the farm and for a time, was a 
lover and breeder of thoroughbred cattle, sheep, swine and 
poultry. He acquired a considerable estate. He and his 
wife died without children. Dr. Samuel, the second son, 
married a Miss Baer, they resided in the village of Shoe- 
neck, here he enjoyed a lucrative medical practice for over 
forty years, and he was noted as a horticulturist. He was 
also engaged in packing of leaf tobacco. He acquired a 
large estate. Before he died, he willed $10,000 dollars 
towards the erection of a church edifice in Schoeneck. The 
widow is still living. 

Another of Uncle John's daughters married Michael 
Bard, they had children, but have no record of them. The 
fourth of Uncle John's daughters married Mr. Lutz, they 
had sons and daughters, one of the daughters married 
Henry Eberly, a well-to-do farmer and esteemed citizen, 



whose wife died about one j^ear ago. I have no further 
record of the Lutz family. 

Sally, the fifth daughter of Uncle John Swarr, married 
John S. Gross, who w^as for many years owner and proprie- 
tor of the Central Hotel in Ephrata. They had two sons, 
who are now living, the oldest Martin, is married and has 
a daughter married. The second son George is single, all 
residents of Ephrata. My Uncle John died, March 9, 1821, 
aged 52 years, his widow lived about forty years longer, 
aged 90 years. 

My Aunt Elizabeth Swarr, was twice married, her 
first husband was Henry Neff, they had children, one a son 
John, he removed to Philadelphia and became a prominent 
citizen there. He is deceased, and left surviving him one 
child a daughter, Matilda, who while single has acquired a 
reputation for her musical proficiency. The second hus- 
band of Aunt Elizabeth, was Jacob Kinch, they had two 
sons, Joseph and Emanuel, the latter removed to the west 
the rest of the family lived and died in East Hempfield 
township. 

Uncle Christian Swarr, a brother, was twice mar- 
ried, first to Maria Yordy, they had children, one daughter 
married George Kreider, a farmer in West Lampeter town- 
ship. They had children, one son David married and 
have children and a son Michael. A daughter married a 
Herr, they had children, two daughters, one married to a 
Mr. Burkholder of West Lampeter township, and the other 
daughter is married to John L. Herr, a prominent farmer 
and esteemed citizen of East Drumore township. The 
other daughter of Christian Swarr, was married to Henry 
Stamen, they had seven children, four sons. Christian, 
who married a Miss Erb, and had one daughter when he 
died ; Benjamin, married a Miss Buckwalter, they had a 
son Henry and daughter Lizzie. The daughters, Eliza 
married Mr. Brand ; Anna, married a Mr. Buckwalter, and 
Maria married Henry Hottenstine, they had seven children 
that lived to a mature age. Rev. Amos, married a Miss 
Brand ; Henry, married Miss Harnish ; Philip, married 



8 

Miss Miller ; Jacob, married Miss Metzler, they all have 
children and are all much respected citizens of East Hemp- 
field township. The daughters are, Mary, married Fred. 
Koser; Kate, married a Harnish ; Lizzie, single, at home. 

Uncle Christian's second wife was a widow, Rhode 
nee Kauffman, they had one son, Rudolph and two 
daughters. Rudolph Swarr married a Miss Sloat, they 
had one child, a son Samuel, who is married and has chil- 
dren, and resides in the northern part of Lancaster county. 
The oldest daughter Fanny, married David Royer, and 
Barbara, married Dr. Gabriel Groff, who w^as a prominent 
citizen of Landisville, they left surviving them one son and 
one daughter. Uncle Christian died 1844, aged 68. 

Uncle Peter Swarr married Barbara Baker, they had 
four sons and two daughters. Betzy, married George 
Ganiber, they had children. John married Miss Martin, 
they have children, of whom I have no record. Adam 
married a Miss Wissler, I have no further record. Henry, 
the oldest son, married Anna Shenk, they have sons of 
whom they may well be proud, as being much respected 
citizens. Fanny, the daughter, married Mr. Bender, they 
reside near Rothsville, Lancaster county. Uncle Peter's 
other daughter, Polly, married John Kauffman, who was a 
farmer and highly respected citizen of East Hempfield 
township. They had six children. Anna, married Henry 
Gochnaur, they have sons and daughters. Mr. Gochnauer 
leaves a widow survive. The family is much respected in 
the neighborhood they reside in, East Hempfield. Betzy, 
the youngest daughter, married William Evans, who was 
a noted auctioneer of Lititz, where he carried on butchering 
for a number of years, and was prominently engaged in the 
coal and lumber business. They have children. Emanuel, 
the oldest son of John Kauffman, married Miss Stauffer, 
lived in Lititz, and enjoyed a lucrative trade in partnership 
with Mr. Evans, his brother-in-law, at butchering and coal 
and lumber. Jacob and John, sons of John Kauffman Sr. , 
are residents of Lititz, but have no record. Amos, the 
youngest son, married Fayetta Eberly. They were farming 




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and butchering and marketing, but removed to Lancaster, 
engaging in grocery and provision business. They have 
one son, Eugene Kauffman, who resides at Bird-in-Hand. 

Peter Jr., one of Uncle Peter's Swarr sons, was mar- 
ried to a Miss Brubaker, they lived at East Petersburg, 
they had one son, Jefferson, who remained single and holds 
forth in Lancaster cit3^ They had one daughter, Barbara. 
She married John Markly, he enlisted in the Civil war 
where be was captured by the rebels and was cast into 
Libb}' prison, where he was nearly starved to death. He is 
is now deceased. 

Jacob, son of Uncle Peter Swarr, married Miss Gam- 
ber, he carried on farming and hotel business also cattle and 
horse dealing at Pennville, Lancaster county. They had 
one son, Jacob Jr., w^ho married a Miss Kemper, daughter of 
Levi Kemper, late proprietor of the Warwick House. They 
had one son, Barton, who is a native of Philadelphia. 
Jacob, son of Uncle Peter Swarr, had two daughters, Kate 
and Poll}^ who married Henry Stauffer, who is deceased, 
leaving a wife and several children survive. Kate was 
married to Jacob Minick, he died soon after ; she was 
afterwards married to Herman Graybill. She died soon 
after. 

Christian, another son of my Uncle Peter, married 
Mary Frick. They had sons and daughters, and were en- 
gaged in farming. The oldest son Henry enlisted in the 
Union army in the Civil War, was wounded in battle and 
died in camp. Their two daughters, Harriet and Maria, 
both died single of typhoid fever, then known as Swarr' s 
fever. Christian Jr., married a Heistand, his wife died; 
they had children of whom I have no record. John, third 
son of Christian, married Miss Bellinger, they have sons 
and daughters. He is extensively engaged in farming and 
is a much respected citizen of East Hempfield township. 
Reuben, the youngest son, married Miss Shoop of Manor 
township. He is a carpenter by occupation, living in 
Chicago, 111. 



lO 

John Swarr, the oldest son of Uncle Peter Swarr, 
married Susan Frick, the^' had two sons and seven daugh- 
ters. Eliza, the oldest daughter, married Henry Hershey, 
they had one son named Adam, who married Miss Baer, 
daughter of Jacob Baer, of near Rohrerstown, who was 
noted in his time as manufacturer of the celebrated J. B. 
whiskey. They have children and as a whole, it is a highly 
respected famil}^ of Hast Hempfield Mary Ann, second 
daughter, is single and lives with one of her sisters in Lan- 
disville. Susan, third daughter, married Christian Hershey, 
who was an extensive farmer and good citizen ; they had 
children. Phares S. Hershey, now of Quarryville, married 
Elmira Risser, they carried on farming prosperously as also 
as also cattle feeding and stock raising. His wife died some 
3-ears ago They have one son, Howard, who married 
Miss Reinhart. One daughter, Gertrude, married Walter 
Aument who is a coal and lumber dealer at Quarryyille. 
Anna, youngest, is single. Rev. Harv^ey Hershe}' of Lan- 
disville, is the youngest son of Christian. One of the 
daughters, Ellen, married Samuel L. Nissle}^ the}^ were 
engaged at farming in East Hempfield, afterwards removed 
to East Drumore, where they followed the same work and 
raised tobacco, but sold their farm and live retired at 
Landisville. Susan, another daughter, married a New- 
comer, they are farming in West Hempfield. I have no 
further record of the family. Barbara married Christian 
Miller, the}- are engaged in farming and own one of the 
finest located farms along the Lancaster and Lititz pike 
and trolley line. Martha married Daniel Forey from Manor 
township, where they extensively engaged in farming. They 
live retired in Lancaster. One of their daughters married 
Rev. John Moseman. 

Sarah, sixth daughter of John Swarr, married Henrj^ 
Bowers, who was for a time, connected w4th several of his 
brothers in the extensive distillery plant at Rohrerstown, 
when he withdrew and went to farming and tobacco raising, 
and for a time, was engaged in buying tobacco for the 
packers. They have children of whom I have no account. 
Fanny, the youngest, married B. Frank Heiss from near 



II 

Columbia, where they largely engaged in, and raised 
tobacco. He was a shrewed business manager. They have 
children of whom I have no record. 

Aaron, the youngest son of John Swarr (who was 
my cousin) married Miss Minnick, from near Lititz, he 
farmed on his father's farm, which he purchased afterward, 
it being part of the looo acre grant to my great-grand- 
father. Aaron was a very successful manager, they had 
five children, three sons. Henry married Miss CaSvSel and 
went to farming. Hiram is married and is in the employ 
of the Spreckels extensive sugar refinery, of Philadelphia. 
John Jr. is married, he was noted as a successful school 
teacher. He is in the employ of the United States govern- 
ment as railwa}^ mail clerk and is also elected school director 
of East Hempfield township. Amanda, the oldest daughter 
of Aaron Swarr, married Samuel Root ; he was farming. 
They have no children. He rented his farms and removed 
to Landisville, where he built a fine residence and ware- 
house and has become largely engaged in packing leaf 
tobacco. The second daughter of Aaron Swarr, Lizzie, 
married Phares Baker, who was a noted school teacher of 
East Hempfield and operated, at the same time, a large 
farm and in connection, raised from lo to 12 acres of 
tobacco. So by his integrity, he amassed quite a fortune. 
He resides at Landisville, where he connected himself with 
his brother-in-law, Mr. Root, and they are today, one of the 
heaviest rural tobacco packing firms in the county. 

Benjamin F. Swarr, the oldest son of my cousin, 
John Swarr, and the oldest Swarr now living that we have 
have any record of, is now 8t years old. He married Miss 
Mary Lemmon. He was in the general store business at 
Landisville and Salunga, associated with my brother M. M. 
Swarr, they sold out about 1859. He went to farming and 
and raising tobacco. They had children, the oldest son, 
Lemmon, married a Miss Haverstick and lives near Colum- 
bia ; Harvey, is married and is employed in the office of 
Cramps Ship Yards, Philadelphia ; Frank, is a dentist 
practicing in Lancaster city. 



12 



The oldest daughter of Benjamin Swarr, Lillie, married 
Herman Long, of East Hempfield, his father died and he 
came into possession of his farm, which is one of the finest 
in the township. Mr. Long is a progressive farmer, he 
being one of the pioneer potato raisers, and by his shrewd 
managment, attained not only a good reputation, but 
amassed something for a rainy day. He now has a son to 
farm and he, with his family, live retired in Landisville, 
where B. F. Swarr, father of Mrs. Long, expects to pass 
the remaining days alloted to him. The other daughter is 
married to a professor, who is teaching school in New 
York city. 

Now We Will Start on My Grandfather's 

Second Family. 

My Grandfather John S\varr married grandmother 
in 1785, they had five children. Maria, the oldest daugh- 
ter, was born 1786, she married Jacob Bassler. Uncle died 
1865, aunt, died 1878, aged 92 years. They had two sons 
and two daughters, one of the daughters, Martha, married 
Mr. Kauffman. They moved to Cumberland county, were 
occupied in farming and raised a highly respected family of 
sons and daughters. The other daughter married Daniel 
Kreider, they too, followed farming. They both died 
about middle age. They had two sons and three daughters, 
two of them, Anna and Maria, married two Kauffman 
brothers. Maria, married Isaac, they had sons and daugh- 
ters. Lsaac died young and his wife soon after. 

Anna, married Benjamin Kauffman, they have two 
daughters and six sons. Rev. Hiram is a preacher in the 
Mennonite church at Landisville and Salunga. Amos, is a 
Deacon of the same denomination, at East Petersburg, and 
the others, Benjamin, Daniel, Aaron and Reuben, are con- 
sistent members of the same church. They all have their 
own farms and are highly respected citizens of East Hemp- 
field. Benjamin, the father, lives retired in East Peters- 
burg and I think, the two daughters with him. 



13 

Lizzie, married Abram Stauffer, of East Donegal, 
where they own and operate a splendid farm. They have 
a family of bo3^s and girls and are members of the Mennon- 
ite church. 

Daniel Kreider's son Daniel married Miss Grabill, 
They were farming very successfully. The wife died some 
years back and Mr. Kreider, died since 1909. They had one 
son, Amos, and daughter Alice, who is single and kept 
house for her father, who lived retired at East Petersburg. 
She is an amicable lady. Amos, the son, is married and 
operates one of his father's farms, and is a respected, un- 
assuming citizen 

Abraham Kreider (the second son of Daniel Kreider 
Sr. and grandson of my Uncle Jacob Bassler) married Miss 
Sallie Stauffer, daughter of the late Tobias Stauffer, coal 
and lumber dealer and farmer, of Salunga, Lancaster 
county. Mr. Kreider followed school teaching, both in 
East and West Hempfield townships, for a number of years 
and was for a time, connected with his father-in-law in the 
manufacture, quite extensively, of cigars and raising 
tobacco ; also, in packing leaf tobacco and of later years, 
engaged in scrivening and conveyancing and civil engineer- 
ing. I do not intend to describe the extent of his practice 
in the last mentioned business, but am led to believe, that 
by his ability and integrity, he has secured the confidence 
and respect of those who know him, which is something 
precious to enjoy. Mr. and Mrs. Kreider have one daugh- 
ter, she is married, and with her husband resides in 
Philadelphia. 

Magdai^ena, my aunt, father's youngest sister, was 
born September 9, 1793. She married Samuel Pfautz. 
They had four sons and two daughters. Martha married 
a Shenk. They had two daughters, Matilda of whom I 
lost trace, and Anna, the youngest, who grew to woman- 
hood and was an amicable lady. She married Henry 
Gamber, a much respected young man in whom, there was 
no guile. They engaged in farming and had the pleasure 



14 

of enjoying the high esteem of their neighbors. They had 
children, especialh'-, I know they have sons of whom they 
may well feel glad, and thankful to God from whom all 
blessings flow. The parents of Mr. and Miss Gamber, are 
both deceased. 

The other daughter of my Uncle and Aunt Pfautz, 
named Maria, married Martin Fry, whose business was 
farming and distilling. They resided northeast of Hinkle- 
town. The had sons and daughters, one of the girls, 
Adaline, married Abram Wenger, who was a coach maker, 
worked in Philadelphia and later worked in connection 
with his brother Jacob, at Paradise, Lancaster, county. 
They have children, daughters who are engaged in school 
teaching. Mr. and Mrs. Fry had two younger daughters 
and f jur sons, John, Albertus, Jefferson and Martin, and it 
seems that all these sons had a strong propensity to go west. 
After some counselling among themselves, the four sons, 
mother and two daughters, went to Missouri, bought a 
large tract of land and went to farming. They improved 
their land, bought cattle, grazed them and soon became 
large dealers in cattle and horses. Some of them got mar- 
ried and have families, some died, and those living pros- 
pered, are well doing and much respected citizens. 

The four sons of Mr. and Mrs. Pfautz, grew to manhood 
and all of them had an inclination to go West. John, the 
oldest went to Lancaster county, Ohio, was not there very 
long until he died (single). The others were noted for 
their industrious habits. Jacob, lived at our house and 
worked. Samuel learned the milling business. They were 
gifted with comprehensive minds, and all seemed to enjoy 
reading and talking about the far West, and could explain 
and reason as though they had seen it, before they ever 
were out of Lancaster county. 

Samuel came to our house in the spring of 1847, soon 
after, my father and mother had died of typhoid fever, then 
called Swarr's fever. Samuel Pfautz took it also, but soon 
got well, when the three Pfautz brothers, Martin, Samuel 



15 

and Jacob, started for the West. When they got to Lan- 
caster to take the train, they met Joseph Retzer, then a 
young man, and also William and Thomas Pusey from 
Drumore township, Lancaster count}-. These six young 
men started for the West and went to the neighborhood of 
Lisbon, Iowa, where they spent the winter. The Pfautz 
boys worked at coopering, making flour barrels. During 
the winter months they would get together and have their 
fun and talk about the gold mines of California, as at that 
time the gold fever ran very high. Five of them, the three 
Pfautzes and the two Puseys, arranged with some others, 
to emigrate across the continent. They had teams to take 
provisions on the trip, but I do not remember how long 
they were on the way. They got there, some of them 
working for themselves and some for wages, as wages were 
very high as well as every thing else. I was told, it was 
very dangerous when one worked at digging and found 
gold, you were in danger of being robbed. It was full of 
men working in the mines, and when you had gold there 
was danger to have it in the pocket and equally so, to bury 
it in the ground, for fear some one else would find it while 
digging. To take it to San Francisco, the fare from the 
mines and return, was sixty-five dollars. 

Some of the Pfautzes came back well off, but I do not 
known how^ much they had when they left the diggings. 
Martin started to come to Pennsylvania, but came as far as 
Ohio, where he took sick and died. Samuel and Jacob 
started later, Jacob coming on to Lancaster county. I met 
him soon after his arrival in Lancaster city, when he told 
me, that he received a letter, the day before he left Cali- 
fornia, which I had written to him over a month before. I 
think, he told me he had to pay 65 cents postage. My 
cousin Samuel, came back as far as Iowa, where he re- 
mained and got married. They had children, one a daugh- 
ter. Miss Anna, who, after her father had died, came to 
Pennsylvania to visit relatives of her father. She came to 
our house an entire stranger, but not long, for a person en- 
dowed with so much intelligence and possessing such a 
comprehensive mind, will readily become acquainted. I 



i6 

am sorry I am not able to give the maiden name of cousin 
Samuel Pfautz's wife, as it is a credit to be blest with a 
family of children, that bring sunshine wherever they go, 
aad create happy feelings and good wishes. 

My Uncle Jacob Swarr, was born November ii, 
.1790, Samuel, a twin brother died young. Jacob married 
Anna Behm, daughter of Jacob Behm, a prominent farmer 
of Londonderry, Lebanon county, on Septemper 15, 1818. 
The}^ had three children, Anna M., born September 9, 1819 ; 
Hiram B., born March 9, 1821, and Elizabeth A., born 
June 12, 1828. Anna M., died November 13, 1822 ; aged 
3 years, 2 months and 4 days. Elizabeth A , died August 
25 » 1833 ; aged 5 years, 2 months and 13 daj's. Uncle 
Jacob died in Campbellstown, Londonderry township, 
Lebanon county, September 11, 1828, aged 37 3'ears and 8 
months, and was buried in the Union Lutheran and Re- 
formed grave yard, connected with the church at Camp- 
bellstown. The young daughters are also buried there and 
his wife Anna, who was 82 years old. 

The son of Jacob Hiram B. Sw^arr, deceased, who was 
a prominent lawyer of Lancaster, married Frances Osborne 
Toby, daughter of Simeon and Sarah Elliott Toby, Decem- 
ber 16, 1S47. The}^ had three children that are still living, 
Charles Jacob, who married a Miss Schroder, they reside in 
the residence at the north-west corner of East King and 
Ann streets, Lancaster cit}-. He is extensively engaged in 
the coal business. Sallie Elliott, oldest daughter of H. B. 
Swarr, was married to Rev. Ellis N. Kremer. The}' are 
residents of Harrisburg, where he has held a pastoral charge, 
for quite a number of years and are held in high esteem. 
Mary Brooks Swarr married Rev. B. F. Bausman, pastor in 
charge of the Reformed church in Shepherdstown, West 
Virginia. They have a host of friends wherever they are 
known. 

Martin Swarr, my father, was born October 25, 
1788. He was twice married, his first wife was a Miss 
Hei.stand. They had two children, John H. and Martha 







The author, Mr. John M. Swarr, was one of the subscribers to the 
original stock for the Millersville School. 



17 

H. Swarr. The daughter, Martha, married Jacob Bassler, 
a farmer of Manheim township, where they lived and 
operated the farm very successfully. He w^as noted as an 
extensive cattle feeder, and was a shrewd business manager 
and an active and useful man in the affairs of the township, 
acting in the capacity of school director. He was unassum- 
ing and a much respected citizen. They had one son, John 
S. and a daughter, Anna S. The daughter married Samuel 
R. Landis, a farmer, and for a number of years, lived on 
the farm where Mr. Landis was raised, which he operated 
very profitably. Having no children, they concluded to 
rent the big farm and purchase a small farm, of about 17 
acres, in Manheim township, along the Lititz pike at the 
intersection of the Lancaster and Oregon turnpike, close to 
the city limits, where thev have a very pleasant home and 
a place where many love to spend some time, in the enjoy- 
ment of there hospitality. Mr. and Mrs. Landis are much 
respected citizens. 

John S. Bassler, the son, married Miss Harriet Royer, 
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Royer. They operated 
the large farm, where Mr. Bassler was born and raised in 
Manheim township, for a number of years, when he con- 
cluded to divide the farm. He had new farm buildings 
erected on one end of the farm, with modern improvements, • 
where he moved and made toils and cares more easy, and 
had a man on the other farm to operate. Mr. Bassler is a 
good business manager and like his father, made and knew 
how to save mone}'. They have one son Harry, and one 
daughter Anna. The son married Miss Cassel and started 
farming, the parents purchasing a fine home on North 
Lime street, Lancaster city, where they live retired and 
are well contented without meddling with other people's 
business. Their daughter Anna married Mr. Snyder, a 
druggist of Lancaster city, who purchased w^hat was, at one 
time, know as the McGrann house on North Queen street, 
where he carried on a very lucrative drug trade. Mr. Sny- 
der died and left surviving him, a widow and some chidren. 
She resides in the city. 



i8 

John H. Swarr, my half brother, was born 1818, died 
1886, aged 68 3'ears. He married Elizabeth Pifer. My 
father bought a farm, in Manheim township, of 175 acres, 
where he started brother John at farming He operated the 
farm on shares, and got along successfully. They had six 
sons and one daughter named Lizzie Ann, who married 
David H. Gochnauer of East Petersburg, where he was en- 
gaged in general merchandise business. He then erected 
a magnificent dwelling, warehouse and implement shedding 
and started an implement and fertilizer business. He now 
is engaged by the International Harvester Company as 
general agent and proves the right man in the right place. 
They have boys and girls some are grown and all are in- 
dustrious and well doing. 

The oldest son of John H. Swarr, Phares P., married 
Miss Amanda Minick, of near Lititz. They started farming 
on one of his farther' s farms, it being part of the original 
1000 acres owned by my great-grandfather, he managed 
well and made money and bought the farm from his father, 
at ^200 an acre (who did not think he was to pa^^ any 
money out on it) and on the first of April, he told his father 
he wants to give him some money, the father said he had 
no place for it. The father took the mone}', two thousand 
dollars, and deposited it in an individual bank in Lancaster 
and soon after the institution closed its doors, he losing 
nearly all. Phares P. and wife have one daughter, she 
married Milton Forney, who, since their marriage, was 
ordained to the ministry of the German Baptist congrega- 
tion, in which capacity he is an ardent worker. He 
operates his father-in-law's farm, they living together and 
have a cheerful happy home abounding in hospitality. 

Martin, the second son of my brother John H. Swarr, 
married Miss Maria Landis, daughter of the late Rev. John 
Landis, of Hast Hempfield. He purchased his father's 
farm for $200 an acre, which was the old homestead where 
I was born, where my father was born, and was the home of 
my grandfather. On it stands, what is supposed to be the 
first brick house in that section and is still in good condition. 



19 

It is supposed that this mansion was built, in time of the 
revolution, when Swarr's large brick mill was erected 
on Swarr's Run, and another large brick house, correspond- 
ing in size and style with the other, had been erected on 
Swarr's grant along the mill race, between the mill and the 
first brick house mentioned, which was occupied and owned 
by a son-in-law of Swarr. They had Hessian prisioners 
emplo3'ed, whom they secured from the barracks at Lancaster 
(who were skilled workmen) in the erection of the build- 
ings. Martin P. Swarr and wife are both deceased. They 
had four children, who are still living and of mature age. 
The daughter, Saloam, married a Mr. Aungst, who is now 
deceased and left surviving a widow and some children. 
The oldest of the sons, Milton L., married a Miss Cassel. 
He purchased his father's farm, w^hich is not only part of 
his grandfathers farm, but of his great-great-great-grand- 
father's. This is the home where I was born and many of 
my boyhood recollections endear this home to me. 

Milton Swarr and wife are hand in hand in their voca- 
tion, sociall}'- and religiously, and a passing glance at the 
farm will divulge to the observer, the motto, that what is 
worth doing at all is worth doing right. He is a successful 
tobacco raiser and cattle feeder, and an ardent admirer of 
good horses. It seems a natural propensity among the 
Swarrs to have good horses. 

Harry L., brother of Milton, is married and bought a 
fine home in Landisville, where he is raising tobacco and I 
think somewhat engaged in packing. He also has that 
love for fine driving horses and has the reputation of being 
a good judge and a skilled driver. 

Martin L., 3'Oungest brother of Milton, is single and 
has his home with Milton, working on the farm. He is a 
prudent and very industrious young man, having the 
natural ability to please and entertain pleasanth^ the old 
and the young. 

Hiram P. Swarr. third son of John H., married Miss 
Wissler, the father erected a splendid set of farm buildings 
on one end of the old homestead farm and added 65 acres to 



20 

the new buildings for Hiram, who operated the farm. They 
had three sons, John, Hiram Jr. and Jacob, and one daugh- 
ter, Lizzie. When the boys grew up, they concluded to get 
more land, and sold his East Hempfield township farm for 
$211 dollars an acre, and purchased a farm of 114 acres in 
East Drumore township, near Mechanic's Grove, Lancaster 
county, where he made some improvements and has one of 
the finest farms in that section. After they lived some 
years in the southern end of the county, he purchased 
another farm adjoining on which the oldest son, Rev John 
now resides. John married Miss Anna Shaub and was or- 
dained to the ministry of the Old Mennonite congregation, 
at Mechanics Grove Church. He no doubt keenly feels 
his high calling and the responsibility with which he is in- 
volved. God be with him. The}' have two children, 
Mary and John Jr. 

Hiram Jr. married Miss Ida Rintz, and is extensively 
engaged in farming, on the Ross A. McConson farm, in 
East Drumore township. He is very industrious and hon- 
est, is well rewarded for his labor and makes good interest 
for his landlord's investment. They have two children, a 
daughter, Mildred and son, Harold. Mr. and Mrs. Hiram 
Swarr are much respected and are given to hospitality. 
Jacob's 3'Oungest son and daughter Lizzie are single, at 
home, and are truly a joy and blessing to the parents. They 
are all members of the Mennonite Church and much 
respected. 

John Jr., fourth son of John H. Swarr, married a Miss 
Widmyer and are much respected citizens of Manheim 
borough. They have children, some are engaged in teach- 
ing school. I have lost trace, in part, of the family, but I 
have the assurance that they are devoted members of their 
church and Sunday school. 

Menno P., fifth son of John H., married Miss Jane 
Matter, they have children, sons and daughters. They 
reside at East Petersburg, where he is the owner of a fine 



21 

farm, which he operates ver}' successfully and has the 
reputation for raising fine tobacco, and there is every indi- 
cation of good management. 

Ruben, the sixth and youngest son of John H., mar- 
ried a Miss Risser from Donegal township, who is now 
deceased. Surviving her is the husband and oue son, 
Reuben Jr., and one daughter, Mabel, who is a trained 
nurse. The senior member of the family is engaged pack- 
ing leaf tobacco at Landisville, Lancaster caunty, and has 
the reputation of putting up the finest packings. I think 
the son is engaged with the father. They are respected 
citizens. 

My father Martin Swarr, was born 1788, and was a 
son of John Swarr, born 1740, who was a son of Peter 
Swarr, who was born 1690, near the city of Strasburg, 
Alsace Province, France. He married Adaline Blooming, 
who was a native of the city of Strasburg. They left 
France on account of the persecutions waged against the 
protectants, himself and family being Huguenots. They 
emigrated for America, in 17 15, and landed at Philadelphia 
in the spring of 17 16, but they left for the interior, arriving 
at what is now Lancaster city. He secured a land grant 
just one and one-half miles west, where he erected build- 
ings and had a fine farm, but soon after their arrival, he 
got a grant of 1000 acres, about three and one-half miles 
farther northwest, on the north side of the kings highway, 
along what was known as Swarr' s Run, where Christian, 
Peter, Martin and Jacob, had their farms, all grand-sons of 
Peter the founder of the family in this country. 

Martin, my father, occupied the farm where grand- 
father liv^ed and died at the advanced age of 87, grand- 
mother also died there, at the age of 90. My father 
died there at the age of 58, and my mother 48. My 
parents died at a time, that I think they were most 
needed, it was a time when the older ones were look- 
ing forward for the future issues of life, and when a 
parent's counsel might be very acceptable and profitable. 



22 

Notwithstanding, however, the}^ died and the family had to 
be parted. My oldest sister, Anna, was 20 years old and 
the youngest was 10 years old, my youngest brother was 12. 
My half sister, w^ho was married to Jacob Bassler and were 
farming, took the two youngest and provided for them, 
they worked and went to the district school. M3' brother 
Amos got along w^ell in school and went several sessions to 
White Hall Academy, in Cumberland county, then he 
taught school several sessions. When the Millersville 
Normal was started, he went there for several seasons and 
from there he went to Andover University, of Mass., where 
he studied law. He then located in Rochester, New York, 
where he was pursuing his law studies, when he took 
tj^phoid fever (the same disease which was called Swarr's 
fever) and died. He was a bright scholar and had the 
reputation of being a good orator. 

My youngest sister, Susan, remained with her step or 
half sister until she was growm, when she got sick of scro- 
fula and was in misery, having sore eyes at times, that she 
could not bear any light. She would have sore throat that 
she almost choked, and the doctors here could not help her 
case, so concluded, she should go to Danville, New York, 
to take the water cure. She stayed there and took treat- 
ment for several years, when she recovered, got fresh and 
hearty, and married Rolandus Houck. They then moved 
near Winchester, Virginia, where they farmed for over 25 
years. They then rented the farm and bought a propert}^ 
in Winchester and lived retired. She died there. Mr. 
Houck intends to spend his remaining day in the South. 

Anna, my oldest sister, married Joel Wenger of West 
Earl township, where they were engaged in farming. Mr. 
Wenger was a good farmer, but he had learned milling, 
which occupation he seemed to like better. He sold the 
farm and purchased Wolf's large new mill, at Brownstown, 
and at once put in the latest improved machinery, which 
made it one of the best mills in the county. He had a good 
demand for his flour and had a ver}^ large home trade. Mr. 
Wenger and his wife are both deceased. They had chil- 



23 

dren, those living are one son, Clayton S. Wenger, who 
came into the possession of the mill, which is principally 
used for an electrical plant to light Brownstown and drive 
machinery. Clayton married Miss Landis, daughter of the 
late Jacob Landis of Millersville, and sister of Hon. John 
H. Landis, superintendent of the United States Mint of 
Philadelphia. 

Lizzie, the oldest daughter of Joel and Anna Wenger, 
married i\mos Stauffer of East Lampeter tow^nship, w^here 
he owns one of the best farms in the township, the build- 
ings throughout are fine. He has the farm rented and 
lives with his wife and two single daughters, who are 
amicable 3^oung ladies, in a fine home, retired and enjoys 
the comforts of modern conveniences Their friends, who 
are many, are glad to meet in that home to share their 
hospitality. Mr. Stauffer has one son John, w^ho married 
Miss Herr, daughter of C. R. Herr, and operates the farms 
of Mr. Herr, which are located in West Lampeter township. 
He is industrious and a very successful farmer and good 
citizen ; the}^ have a fine home and the family is worthy 
of the comforts it affords. 

The second daughter of Joel Wenger, Sue, married 
Clarence Lichty, of Lancaster city. He was engaged in 
teaching for a number of years, but of late 3^ears had been 
in the insurance business, in which occupation he appears 
very successful. The}^ have one daughter living by name 
Blanche, she married a Mr. Snavel}- a very interesting man 
and son of Benjamin and Anna (Herr) Suavely, now retired 
farmers of Lancaster city. 

Alice, the youngest daughter of Joel and Anna (Swarr) 
Wenger, has her home in part with her sister, Mr. and 
Mrs. Lichty, Lancaster. She is single and is noted as a 
first class seamstress, and is often called into families to do 
sewing at fine work ; and she is sure to bring sunshine with 
her wherever she goes. She has many kind friends and is 
much respected. 



24 

David Swarr, my oldest full brother, was working 
on the farm till he was eighteen years old, when he entered 
the employ of John Stauffer, in a general merchandise 
store at Petersburg ; from whence he got a situation in 
in Philadephia, with Anspach, Jacoby & Compan}^ whole- 
sale dry goods, on southwest corner of Third and Cherry 
streets, where his wages were $400 the first year. The}- 
increased his wages from time to time and had him to do a 
great deal of traveling in the south and west, his wages 
then were $1000 a year and expenses. When it seemed 
that the business was remunerative, the senior partner of 
the firm and owner of the property (that is the building) 
wished to retire, and they asked my brother to become a 
partner in the firm, his salar}' to go on at $rooo a 3'ear. 
He told me that they offered him such a good chance, but 
he would have to borrow money, he not having enough 
capital. I told him I would not trust, but he thought it 
was a good thing and put all his own money in and bor- 
rowed thousands more and put in the firm, then the con- 
cern broke and he lost all his money. He then went to 
New York, where he w^s in the emplo}^ of Teft, Griswold 
8l Company, when one of the firm begged him to go 
partner in a big scheme. When the other member died, as 
he intended to use the firm's money and pay it back soon, 
but the death spoiled that arrangement. I had to suffer, but 
I do not blame him of being dishonest. 

Martin Jr., my next oldest brother, worked on the 
farm till he was seventeen years old, when he took the 
apprenticeship for a carpenter. He served his term and 
worked journeyman for some time, when he, with our 
cousin B. F. Swarr, started in the mercantile business at 
Landisville, under the firm name of M. M. &. B. F. Swarr. 
They did a good business for some years, when they sold 
out and started the business at Salunga, where they had a 
good trade, but my brother thought he could do better b}^ 
going to Philadelphia, and as they had a good chance to 
sell, they did so. When he got to the city, he found it 
was not so easy for a man of his age and experience, to 
jump into a good thing. He stayed at the Eagle Hotel, 



25 

227 North 3rd street, where he was offered his board if he 
would help serve the table, which he did. lu a short time, 
they wanted him to go into the office and assist there, when 
finally, they had him attending to it alone, also, turning 
over to him the superintendency of the house ; he getting 
$100 a month, board and washing. He remained at that 
place over fifteen 3'ears, the proprietorship changing two or 
three times, while he was there, he being retained b}^ the 
new pSLTty. He then got married and bought the good will 
and fixtures of the Great Western Hotel, on Market street. 
After starting business and having put his money in it, he 
found his title to the place was no good, which was a big 
loss to him. As his reputation was good, he was employed 
by Israel Johns an old Quaker, w'ho had a real estate and 
collection agency, who entrusted him with the whole busi- 
ness, he remaining there about eighteen years, when the 
old man died. He had a will made and had two executors 
appointed, who found there were some important trusts 
that could not well be closed out at once, so they retained 
my brother, as he was acquainted with the business and 
knew everj'thing in the office, to close out the business and 
file an account, which he did creditably, it taking over two 
years. M}^ brother Martin and his wife live on the north- 
east corner of Tenth and Pine streets, aged nearly 80 years. 
They never bad any children. 

My father Martin Swarr, married his second wife, my 
mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Mellinger, 
daughter of David Mellinger, of Manor township. They 
lived on the old homestead farm, where my father was born ; 
to them being born four sons and two daughters, that 
lived to a mature age. My father took sick and died in a 
short time, on February 5, 1847, aged 58 years, 3 months 
and 10 days ; mother took sick and died March 3, 1847, 
aged 48 years. The doctors that were attending them, 
were John Atlee, Lancaster ; John Ream, Hempfield, and 
Samuel Parker, Petersburg ; they were puzzled to give the 
sickness a name, when it took the name of Swarr' s Fever, 
but soon afterwards they pronounced it typhoid. When I 
had the same fever, about nine years afterwards, Mr. 



26 

Parker told me, that they did not know what to name it 
when my parents died of it ; at that time there were eleven 
of the Swarrs sick at one time. I was surprised about six 
months ago, when P. McManus the railroad contractor, 
asked me if I am one of the Swarrs that had Swarr's fever, 
as he, being a boy at that time, was visiting at his uncle, 
John McGovern, who was a friend of my father. That is 
now, over sixty years ago, but I have met before with old 
people, who asked the same question. M3' father was a 
person that was well known, he was tall and weighed about 
"250 pounds, his face seemed to be the very bloom of health, 
and when he was sick, the doctors said that a person of 
his build is hard to pull through. 

My father was much engaged awa}^ from home, he 
having many estates to settle. He took a great interest in 
having the free school system established and to employ 
good teachers ; I know that he worked to have able men as 
teachers, who were not willing to work for the wages. He 
offered to board them free of charge and in that way, pro- 
cured some of the ver}^ best teachers. I think. East 
Hempfield township, was one among the first to have free 
schools, and I think, to-day, it ranks as one of the best in 
the county. 

From my boyhood recollections, I am led to think 
that he had science, as I know, by him being taken into 
counsel b}' the neighbors, and by the manner we bo3's were 
trained. There was a place for each thing and each thing 
was to be in its place, when not in use. When we boys 
went to bed, each was to have his place for his hat and 
coat, for his shoes or boots, so that when we were called 
in the morning, there was no hunting for our clothes or 
shoes, and the lantern was at its place, so that we were not 
long in getting to the barn. We used to fatten 2 stables 
of cattle, one stable of cow\s, and one of young cattle, we 
also, had one stable of horses and often had colts. It re- 
quired not much questioning, as each of us knew what he 
was to do, one went to feed and clean the horses and two 
went for the steers, one cleaned the troughs and the other 



27 

gave in short feed, then went to the next stable until we 
.were through, after which, we had to bed the stables before 
the cattle would lay down ; we never forgetting to have the 
straw in the stable the evening before ; if there were any 
of the cattle that refused to eat, we well knew it was our 
duty to report. We were not allowed to go over the week 
without greasing our boots or shoes, or wearing them when 
they got holes, as we were to keep our feet dry and shoes 
soft. It makes me think of it when I see boys or men hav- 
hard or red worn shoes on and since I am farming, I have a 
grease pan with a brush in it and many times greased the 
shoes for my workmen. 

I w^as fourteen years old when my parents died and then 
I had to go among strangers, who were all very kind to me, 
I working for my board the first summer and went to the 
district school in the winter. I had a guardian, who never 
looked after me. He being well off, and having no children 
of his own, appeared to think I was able to take care of my- 
self, which I did after a kind; but it was at a time, when it 
is important that a boy of that age should have some good 
counsellor, that would take an interest in his future welfare. 
I always had plenty of kind friends, but being in a neigh- 
borhood where I was a stranger, I got into company that 
was older than I, who had their own teams and would take 
me to church or places of amusement, and especially, would 
they like to go along with me to visit my relatives, in 
order to become acquainted in that section, which was 
about twelve miles away. It was not long, until I wanted 
my own team, and had one of the best ; I having some 
horse pride, studied the horse and his ailments and acquired 
some knowledge of medicine. I soon got in with horse 
dealers and somehow, got the reputation of being a good 
judge of horses and hadn't much trouble to sell a horse to 
men, who did not trust their own judgment. I became 
skilled in driving for speed and was offered big wages to 
drive fast horses and train them, but did not accept them. 

I was asked by different men of business, to deal for 
the half profit, they to furnish the money. One farmer 



28 

told me to buy grain, or anything I thought there was 
money in, so I bought looo bushels of corn, which I very 
soon sold for $50 profit. He got so wild, that he offered to 
deposit $2000 in bank at my disposal, saying I should deal 
with it and give him half the profit. I refused. These 
people were especially kind friends, but the inducements 
held out to me, were not good for a young person, and 
thanks to God, that I was able to resist. 

I went to Ohio with a man that brought a drove of 
cattle in, as he was a farmer and I had a desire to see the 
countr}'. I helped to thrash, cut wood, spread manure and 
cut off corn ; we drove through the country, he wanting to 
go partner with me to buy cattle and horses and bring them 
east to sell, but I did not take the offer as he would have 
wanted me to liv^e out there. I gathered a lot of horses 
and his brother-in-law came along, we coming on horse- 
back over the Allegheny mountains, which was a tiresome 
trip, being about four hundred miles. I sold the horses and 
went to an academy a few months to brighten up the limited 
education I did have. When a school teacher, at Roseville, 
Manheim township, resigned, the directors got at me to 
take that school, as they had some money that was donated to 
the house, before the public school system was inaugurated 
in the township, but they had no authority to use it in the 
general school fund. It was decided, I should teach long 
enough to exhaust that money, so I had that much expe- 
rience in teaching. I worked on the farm in the summer 
and was clerking in a store awhile, and in the fall of 1854, I 
purchased the store and hotel property at Bareville, three 
miles west of New Holland, in Upper Leacock township, 
where I took possession at once. I then got married to 
Miss Maria Groff, daughter of Levi B. Groff. I did a 
good business, but the hotel part of the trade, I did not 
like and it being the best paying part and as the propertj^ 
was most too high priced to abandon it, I concluded to sell. 
I then purchased a farm of 40 acres, at $194 an acre. 

After some years there was a farm for sale of 114 acres, 
which was part of the 1000 acre grant to my great-grand- 



29 

father and adjoining the old homestead, where my brother 
lived and owned. My brother did not know that they 
wanted to sell, I told him and begged him to buy it. He 
said, he would like to have it, but he had no need for it 
yet. I then told him some other person would buy it and 
that he should go with me to the man that owned it, who 
lived about fifteen miles away. When we got to the place 
and found that he could buy it, he said, he would buy, if I 
promised to farm it ; I sold my small farm and moved on 
his. My brother made the remark, that he did not w^ant 
the farm and when it was found out by the neighbors, 
several came the next day, after he was at home, and 
offered to give $1000 profit. I farmed that place for him 
seven years, without a scratch of writing, giving him $100 
grass rent and half of the grain and made money for him 
and myself, then my wife's uncle, B. B. Groff, near Bird- 
in-Hand, East Lampeter township, told me if I promised to 
move on his farm, he would put up a new house for him- 
self and retire. I told m}^ brother, he said, I needn't go 
awaj^ but he would not keep me from taking that offer, as 
it was an extra good farm, so I went on that place without 
any written article and made money. 

The fever for going to the South, soon after the Civil 
War, ran high and I concluded to go and see it, but as soon 
as it was reported that I was going to stop farming, I got 
word from East Hempfield township, my native place, from 
a man that had purchased a farm and had no one to move 
on it, but wished to operate the tw^o farms himself. It 
was a very fine home and I went there without a written 
article ; I farmed some tobacco, worked for the man by the 
day and liked it so well, that I was well satisfied without go- 
ing South. During that summer, a neighbor farmer came 
and w^anted me to take his farm, that was adjoining where 
I lived. His father-in-law wanted him to come on his place, 
which joined the place, where I lived on the opposite side, 
so it was handy for me to move. I promised to take that 
farm and in the spring moved on without any writing 
whatever ; was there seven years and never had any differ- 
ences. 



30 

In the mean time, I got somwhat acquainted in the 
southern end of the count}', where I now live and expect to 
remain. It was about the year of 1883 or '84, I got to 
know anything of southern Lancaster county, when a friend 
of mine said he would like me to go with him to Quarry- 
ville and a few miles beyond, where he had a farm and 
intended to build a pig sty and wanted some one to assist in 
the selection of a site and style. I promised and we set a 
day to make the trip, my friend writing to his friend, James 
Collins, who lived on an adjoining farm, that we were coming 
on a certain day and that he would like to meet Mr. Collins 
on the farm, as Mr. Collins was superintending in part. 
Mr. Collins kindly invited his father, Thomas Collins, 
along to meet us, which w^as indeed a very social meeting. 
They were not entire strangers in the northern end of the 
county, the elder Collins having been county commissioner. 
They were able to give very intelligent information, that, 
together with my own observation, I came to the conclu- 
sion, that it was worth a man's time to become more 
acquainted with the country. I then, made it my business 
to get to gatherings, such as public sales, where I could 
meet different people and must say, that I was very favor- 
ably surprised, and am proud to say, that I believe, that 
the Scotch-Irish are as social and intelligent, as any other 
nationality, anywhere. 

I purchased several different farms and small properties, 
but never with any craving to get rich fast and hoard up 
money. My motto always was, not to let property decrease 
in value, live and let live and do to others as I would have 
others do to me. We had one son, Levi and two daughters, 
the oldest named Lizzie, who married Samuel C. Baer, son 
of Henry M. and Fanny (Kauffman) Baer, of East Hemp- 
field township. Mr. Baer, onr son-in-law, taught school in 
East Hempfield when single and after he was married and 
lived at Mechanics Grove, he was teaching in the Drumores 
and Quarry ville, in all, he taught about twenty sessions. 

During the summer, he worked on the farm and raised 
tobacco, for which he acquired a good reputation, as well 



31 

as for teaching. He always had very good luck, or per- 
haps I should call it pluck, in raising plants and getting 
them well started. He sold his property at Mechanics 
Grove and built at Quarryville, where he manufactured 
cigars and raised tobacco, and also was Justice of the Peace. 
When the low grade railroad was started to be built, he 
was employed by the John Shields Construction Company, 
as time keeper, but soon was assigned paymaster and had 
full charge of the office and in connection, they engaged 
his daughter, Anna, to assist him as typewritter and steno- 
grapher. When that w^ork was finished, P. McManus en- 
gaged Mr. Bare on a railroad job, at Winbur, Somerset 
county, when that work was finished, he was sent to the 
Philadalphia office and then, when the}' got a contract at 
Parkesburg, Pa. , he acted as time keeper, also doing the 
office work. When that was done, Mr. McManus engaged 
him to superintend his farms at Pomeroy. Mr. and Mrs. 
Baer have one son, Charles Chester, who is a druggist, 
he married Miss Mable Coulter of Bartville. They live in 
Oxford, Chester county, where Mr. Baer is engaged in the 
drug business and enjo^'s quite a large patronage and have 
a host of friends. 

The Baers have two daughters, the oldest Anna, mar- 
ried James T. S. Shaub, of Lancaster city, who is engaged 
at electrical work by the Bell Telephone Company, with 
headquarters at Scranton, Lackawanna county, Pa. 

Edna, the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Baer, is 

single and is at home with her parents, at Pomeroy, Chester 
count}' and is attending the Stevens High School, at Lan- 
caster, where she enjoys the reputation of a bright scholar 
and manifests quite a talent for music. 

Mary, youngest daughter of J. M. and Maria Swarr, 
married J. R. L. Acheson, son of the late Charles and 
Lucinda (Kyle) Acheson, of Mechanics Grove, Lancaster 
county, where he was engaged in general merchandising 
for a time. When his parents were deceased, he engaged 
in farming and tobacco raising and when they settled up 



32 

the estate and sold the farm, they moved to Phiadelphia, 
he taking a position as conductor on the street car hne. 
Then his wife took sick and died, left surviving her hus- 
band and one daughter, Anna, who was eleven years old 
when her mother died ; the mother was buried at Quarry- 
ville cemetery, Lancaster county, where they have four 
children buried, who died when quite young. Mr. Acheson 
is engaged principally, since the death of his wife, as assis- 
tant superintendent on railroad work. He was working in 
Canada for a time, and now he is on a job at Jerse}^ City. 

His daughter Anna is a student in the graduating class 
of the State Normal School, at Millersville, where she has 
w^on laurels. She had the honor of christening the new 
Low Grade Division of the Pennsjdvania Railroad at it com- 
pletion. She has her home with her grand-parents, J. M. 
Swarr, at Mechanics Grove. 

Levi Swarr, son of J. M., is married to Mar}^ Shenk, 
daughter of Rev. Tobias Shenk, of East Hempfield town- 
ship. They have three daughters, Katie, who married 
Dallas R. Bomberger, of Fulton township and who are 
much respected ; Annie and Lizzie, both single and living 
with their parents, to whom they are a blessing and are 
much esteemed. Levi Swarr is operating his father's farm 
successfully and is a much respected citizen. He purchased 
a fine home from his father, but does not intend to occupy 
it himself for the present. 



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